Juventus head coach Massimiliano Allegri will allow Nicolo Fagioli to spend the seven months of his suspension for betting breaches seeking treatment for his addiction while keeping himself fit for potential involvement in the run-in.

Bianconeri midfielder Fagioli, 22, had five months of a one-year ban suspended this week and was fined 12,500 euros (£10,848), while he agreed to a therapy plan of at least six months to tackle his gambling problem.

The ban means Fagioli – who has the Turin club’s official support – will miss almost the entirety of the Serie A campaign that remains but he will be eligible for the final two games, against Bologna and Monza, in May.

Allegri hopes Juve will then be in a position to challenge for the Scudetto, if they have not already claimed their first championship since 2020, and Fagioli will be enthusiastically welcomed back into the fold to get the Old Lady over the line.

Before Sunday evening’s trip to title rivals AC Milan, the boss told a press conference: “We have said everything regarding Fagioli, the club have expressed their opinion and I agree.

“Now a journey begins for Nicolo that will bring him back to the field in May – these seven months will help him maintain his athletic condition while he engages in social work.”

Going into the weekend Juve were four points behind leaders Milan, with Inter wedged in between the pair, and Allegri plans to extend their three-match unbeaten run with a positive result that would certainly turn up the heat in the title race.

“We’re expecting a good and challenging match tomorrow, with first against third in the standings,” he said. “We know the difficulties this match brings, playing at San Siro is both beautiful and difficult.”

On their hopes of reclaiming their status as top dogs in Italy, he added: “Are we favourites? Our goal is to earn as many points as possible to reach the end of May in the top four.

“In the meantime, let’s enjoy tomorrow’s match against Milan and then we’ll see what we’ve been able to do.”

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba is suspended alongside Fagioli, with the defensive trio of Mattia De Sciglio, Alex Sandro and Danilo out injured.

Milan, who have won four straight league games, are without the banned duo of goalkeeper Mike Maignan and defender Theo Hernandez, while English midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek is among the high-profile names still on the treatment table.

With Maignan unavailable, Rossoneri boss Stefano Pioli is planning to throw veteran stopper Antonio Mirante, 40, into action for the first time this campaign and has no concerns whatsoever about his ability to cope with the Juve attack.

He told reporters: “Will we change the way we play with Mirante in goal? No.

“Antonio knows how to read plays and watch the gaps, so it will be down to the outfield guys to better understand how Juve move and therefore how to deal with them.”

World Cup winner Papu Gomez has been given a two-year ban by FIFA after testing positive for a banned substance, his Italian club Monza have said.

The Serie A club said terbutaline was found in the 35-year-old Argentina midfielder’s “biological samples” when he played for Sevilla in 2022.

“FIFA has notified the Spanish Anti-Doping Commission of the first instance ruling of the Spanish Anti-Doping Commission against the player Alejandro Dario Gomez,” read a Monza statement on Friday.

“The sentence provides for a two-year disqualification from sporting activities.

“The presence of terbutaline was found in the footballer’s biological samples. It is a drug taken to calm a bronchospasm crisis, in October 2022, when the footballer was registered for Sevilla FC.

“AC Monza reserves the right to evaluate the next procedural steps.”

Buenos Aires-born Gomez played in Argentina, Italy and Ukraine before spending over six years at Atalanta until January 2021.

He then moved to Sevilla before joining Monza in September, where he has made only two substitute appearances.

Gomez has won 17 caps for Argentina and started twice at the 2022 World Cup, including the round of 16 victory over Australia, as the South Americans won the trophy for a third time in Qatar.

Inter Milan boss Simone Inzaghi has urged his side to improve their concentration as they visit Torino on Saturday.

Inter lost ground at the top of Serie A when they threw away a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 at home to Bologna, allowing city rivals AC Milan to open up a two-point lead.

A tough test awaits when they head to Turin and Inzaghi knows his side cannot afford any more lapses.

“There will be a need for a very high concentration and desire to do well because a very difficult match awaits us. Intense,” he told Inter TV.

“We are working hard on the defensive organisation. The league table and performance in Europe say we are doing well, but we need to improve again: in the last match, for example, we conceded two clearly avoidable goals and therefore we must make progress day after day.

“The whole team must participate in the non-possession phase.

“Preparing for the first game back from a break is never easy. Most of the players got back on Wednesday, the South Americans yesterday.

“We know that Torino are a good team with a coach in his third year with them. We’ll need a great Inter performance.”

 

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Scoring goals is certainly not a problem, with 21 in eight games, but Inzaghi thinks there is more to come.

“It’s true, we score a lot and with different players, but we know that we can still improve this figure,” he added. “By training as best we can and finding more goals also with our defenders, with the midfielders.”

Captain Lautaro Martinez has been at the forefront of that, scoring 11 goals in 10 appearances.

“Lautaro is a player with a huge sense of belonging,” Inzaghi added. “He’s improved a lot in the last couple of years and, of course, the armband has given him more responsibility. He also has top team-mates who always try to set him up.”

Inter will assess their players, including Nicolo Barella, as they return from international duty.

Napoli have dismissed claims that relations with star striker Victor Osimhen have turned “frosty” after contract talks broke down without resolution.

Club president Aurelio De Laurentiis had revealed discussions over an extension to the 24-year-old Nigeria international’s current deal, which runs until the summer of 2025, had reached a standstill, prompting suggestions of a breakdown in the relationship between club and player.

Osimhen, who has been linked with a move to the Premier League with Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool all touted as potential suitors, has found himself in the headlines in recent weeks after a video posted on the club’s official TikTok account appeared to mock him, while he was also involved in a public spat with manager Rudi Garcia, for which he has since apologised.

However, a statement issued on Napoli’s official website on Friday said: “SSC Napoli would like to clarify recent comments made by president Aurelio De Laurentiis regarding Victor Osimhen, given that his words have been distorted by certain media publications.

“President De Laurentiis did not say anything negative about Victor. He simply stated that after a series of lengthy contract negotiations which ended with the parties shaking hands and agreeing to continue together, Victor had second thoughts.

“President De Laurentiis hopes this is merely a pause for reflection. Over the coming weeks, when Victor will not be able to play as he recovers from injury, the president, Osimhen and his agent Roberto Calenda will sit down calmly to discuss the future.

“Describing relations between Osimhen and Napoli as ‘frosty’ is entirely out of place.”

Osimhen is currently recovering from a hamstring injury suffered during Nigeria’s 2-2 friendly draw with Saudi Arabia in Portugal last Friday and is facing several weeks on the sidelines.

He will therefore play no part in Saturday’s trip to Verona – Frank Anguissa and Juan Jesus are also in the treatment room – as Garcia’s men attempt to bounce back from successive home defeats by Real Madrid in the Champions League and Fiorentina in Serie A.

Victory at the Stadio Bentegodi would steady the ship for the side currently sitting in fifth place in the table ahead of Tuesday night’s Champions League visit to Union Berlin.

Verona are without a win in six league outings and have collected only two points along the way, and boss Marco Baroni knows they will have to be at their very best to take anything from the reigning champions.

Baroni told a press conference: “Tomorrow we’ll face the reigning champions. In general I always believe in what we do: in order to reach our goal we need everyone. The more we are solid as a group, the faster we’ll improve.

“Napoli is a really tough side to face. We’ll have to give it all both as individuals and as a team, we can’t do differently. Then we’ll see the final response on the field.”

Juventus have pledged their support for midfielder Nicolo Fagioli after he was banned for seven months for breaching betting rules.

Fagioli had five months of a one-year ban suspended this week and was fined 12,500 euros (£10,848), while he agreed to a therapy plan of at least six months to tackle his gambling problem.

Juventus said in a statement on their official website: “The club has noted the official press release from the FIGC (Italian Football Federation) and confirms its full support for Nicolo Fagioli in tackling this path, providing the player with the necessary support in carrying out the indicated therapeutic plan and, as expressly provided for in the agreement, collaborating with the Federation to outline the scheduled appointments.

“We are firmly convinced that Nicolo, with the support of the club, his team-mates, his family and the professionals who will assist him, will face the therapeutic and training process with a great sense of responsibility and, once the disqualification has been served, will be able to return to competing with due serenity.”

Fagioli, 22, was one of several players named last week who were being investigated by the Turin Public Prosecutor’s Office and the FIGC as part of an Italian football betting probe.

Newcastle confirmed midfielder Sandro Tonali was fully co-operating with the enquiry, while Aston Villa forward Nicolo Zaniolo, on loan from Galatasaray, is also being investigated.

Tonali and Zaniolo were both withdrawn from Italy’s training camp this week while Fagioli, who has one senior international cap, was not part of their squad for Saturday’s win over Malta and Tuesday’s defeat to England.

Juventus midfielder Nicolo Fagioli has been handed a seven-month suspension by the Italian Football Federation over a breach of betting rules.

Fagioli had five months of a one-year ban suspended and was fined 12,500 euros (£10,848), while he agreed to a therapy plan of at least six months to tackle his gambling problem, the FIGC announced.

In a statement on its website, the governing body said the 22-year-old violated the rule “that prohibits betting on football events organised by FIGC, UEFA and FIFA”.

Fagioli made his Italy debut in November last year in a friendly against Albania but it is his sole cap and he was not part of their squad for Saturday’s win over Malta and Tuesday’s defeat in England.

Compatriots Sandro Tonali and Nicolo Zaniolo last week returned to their clubs from Italy’s training camp after it emerged they were being investigated by the Turin Public Prosecutor’s Office.

Reports in Italy claim the probe into Newcastle midfielder Tonali and on-loan Aston Villa forward Zaniolo is in relation to illegal betting.

Fiorentina underlined their credentials to challenge for a European place this season as they upset defending champions Napoli 3-1 at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

Although Victor Osimhen’s penalty in first-half stoppage time cancelled out an early strike from Josip Brekalo, Napoli had no answer after Giacomo Bonaventura restored Fiorentina’s lead in the 63rd minute, with substitute Nicolas Gonzalez adding a late third.

The result sees Fiorentina move level with Napoli on 14 points, seven behind early pace-setters AC Milan.

Fiorentina started brightly, with Lucas Martinez seeing an ambitious early overhead kick effort blocked, and those endeavours were rewarded when they took the lead with seven minutes gone.

It was Martinez again who saw his rather awkward effort off his knee bounce back off the post, but it fell for Brekalo to slot it through the goalkeeper’s legs from a tight angle.

Napoli’s desire to make amends saw them pour forward but too many of their moves were rushed, the ball pinging about on the edge of the Fiorentina box in a manner they could not control.

A chaotic move saw the ball in the back of the net after 22 minutes but they were denied an equaliser by the assistant’s flag.

Osimhen’s shot was blocked but Matteo Politano’s disguised pass found Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Fiorentina again got in a block and Mathias Olivera was offside when he sent in a cross-cum-shot that was tucked in by Osimhen at the far post.

They kept coming forward, but Pietro Terracciano made a fine save to keep out Stanislav Lobotka’s powerful drive.

Osimhen’s penalty appeals were in vain when he was bundled over late in the first half, but the officials could not ignore him in stoppage time when Fabiano Parisi’s chested pass back to Terracciano fell short and the goalkeeper collided with the advancing striker.

And, having put himself back on penalty duty, Osimhen dispatched a powerful shot from the spot.

Fiorentina nearly got back in front five minutes into the second half when Jonathan Ikone’s shot struck the right-hand post.

It was end-to-end at this point – Osimhen sent a shot across goal for Napoli, then Ikone narrowly missed the target through a crowded box.

Osimhen should have put the hosts in front just before the hour when he broke away down the left but he was too slow to shoot and Terracciano cut off the angle.

And Fiorentina made him pay for the missed opportunity as the visitors retook the lead moments later. Alfred Duncan ran into trouble but the ball bounced for Bonaventura, left in far too much space on the penalty spot, and he tucked the ball away.

Napoli pushed for an equaliser but it would be Fiorentina celebrating at the end as they hit their hosts on the counter attack in stoppage time, with Gonzalez finishing the move.

AC Milan moved to the top of Serie A with a 1-0 win at Genoa that saw Christian Pulisic score late on before both sides had their goalkeepers sent off in stoppage time.

After substitute Pulisic broke the deadlock by firing home in the 87th minute, the Rossoneri were then reduced to 10 men in the eighth minute of time added on when Mike Maignan was dismissed.

Pulisic’s fellow substitute Olivier Giroud took over from Maignan in goal, and saw the Milan bar rattled moments later – before the drama continued with Genoa keeper Josep Martinez being shown a second yellow card.

With Giroud then making a save in the final few moments, Milan saw out the victory as they managed to take maximum advantage of Inter Milan being held 2-2 at home by Bologna earlier in the day.

Securing a fourth successive league victory and eighth in nine Serie A games, Stefano Pioli’s went two points clear as they replaced Inter at the summit.

Pioli made five changes to his starting line-up from the 0-0 Champions League draw at Borussia Dortmund, including replacing the front three of Giroud, Pulisic and Rafael Leao with Luka Jovic, Samuel Chukwueze and Noah Okafor.

Two of that trio brought in almost combined for an early goal, with Chukwueze lofting the ball forward and Okafor just unable to finish as Martinez grabbed it.

The hosts then appealed for a penalty when Johan Vasquez went down in a tangle with Alessandro Florenzi but nothing was given.

A spell of Milan pressure around the quarter-hour mark saw Martinez deal with a shot from Florenzi and then block Tijjani Reijnders’ strike.

Florenzi subsequently got himself in the way of a Vasquez shot, before Theo Fernandez and Florenzi hit drives off-target.

After Pioli opted to bring on Pulisic and Leao for Chukwueze and Okafor at the interval, Milan continued to be frustrated in their search for a breakthrough early in the second half, struggling to fashion much in attack.

Leao then saw Martinez make a fine save to tip his bouncing header over the bar in the 65th minute, shortly before Giroud was introduced to the fray.

Genoa then threatened to grab the lead as Radu Dragusin’s shot deflected off Reijnders, with Maignan doing well to turn it around the post, and substitute Caleb Ekuban headed over.

It looked as if Milan would miss their opportunity to replace Inter at the top, but Pulisic then controlled a Yunus Musah delivery, turned and fired in, the effort standing after a VAR check for handball.

That proved only the start of a dramatic finale as stoppage time saw Maignan given a red card, via VAR, for clattering Ekuban, Giroud don the gloves, and the resulting free-kick by Albert Gudmundsson diverting off Fikayo Tomori and onto the Milan bar.

Martinez then fouled Musah and was sent off himself, before Giroud came out to bat the ball away from George Puscas as Milan emerged with all three points.

Federico Gatti and Arkadiusz Milik ensured Juventus’ domination of the Derby della Mole continued as they defeated Torino 2-0 at the Allianz Stadium.

Defender Gatti and substitute Milik both scored after the break to settle a hard-fought encounter in which the visitors rarely looked like ending a wait for a victory over their arch-rivals, which now extends to 19 games.

Massimiliano Allegri’s men struggled to create openings before half-time, but dominated after the opening goal and were ultimately good value for their win.

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Indeed, the visitors barely mustered an attempt of note on Wojciech Szczesny’s goal as they looked for a first win on enemy soil since April 1995.

Juve thought they had got off to the perfect start when striker Moise Kean smashed the ball home with just five minutes gone, but his joy instantly turned to frustration courtesy of an offside flag.

Midfielder Valentino Lazaro registered the visitors’ first effort of note when he blazed over from a tight angle, but in an open encounter, Kean was only just unable to get to Filip Kostic’s 18th-minute driven cross at the far post.

However, clear-cut chances were few and far between as the first half unfolded, although home goalkeeper Szczesny had to palm away Raoul Bellanova’s 28th-minute cross at his near post after he had linked with Demba Seck down the right.

Bellanova blazed wide after an enterprising run as he cut in a minute before the break, but the sides went in level with neither keeper having been troubled unduly.

Juve took the lead two minutes after the restart when former Torino youth player Gatti forced the ball home at the second attempt amid a goalmouth scramble after keeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic had come for, but failed to collect, a right-wing corner.

The goal was only awarded after a lengthy VAR check as Brazilian defender Bremer received treatment in the goalmouth after being accidentally caught in the face by team-mate Kean’s flying boot.

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Duvan Zapata saw a 57th-minute attempt deflected over Szczesny’s crossbar as Torino looked for a way back into the game, but their hopes were dealt a significant blow five minutes later.

Milik, a half-time replacement for Fabio Miretti, had forced Milinkovic-Savic to concede a corner by turning his downward header over the crossbar, but he got the better of the keeper from the resulting set-piece, heading home with the help of a deflection off his shoulder.

Zapata headed straight at Szczesny from Mergim Vojvoda’s cross with four minutes remaining – Torino’s first effort on target – but Milinkovic-Savic had to get down well to repel Milik’s skidding strike seconds later as the hosts eased across the finishing line.

Inter Milan blew a two-goal to drop points at the top of Serie A as Bologna earned a 2-2 draw at the San Siro.

Inter looked set to move clear at the summit of the table after they burst into a 2-0 lead after just 13 minutes as Francesco Acerbi and Lautaro Martinez scored.

But mid-table Bologna hit back, with Bendetta Orsolini scoring from the penalty spot before the break and Joshua Zirkzee earned a point after the break.

The result was a big boost for Inter’s city rivals AC Milan, who play at Genoa later on Saturday and go three points ahead with a win.

Although the hosts made a fast start, it was Bologna that almost drew first blood as former Aberdeen midfielder Lewis Ferguson hit the post in an open start to the match.

But it was the hosts that soon took control as Acerbi headed home from Hakan Calhanoglu’s corner in the 11th minute.

Two minutes later it was 2-0 as Martinez doubled the lead in style, rocketing a 25-yard shot into the top corner for his 10th goal of the season, becoming just the third Inter player in history to reach double figures in the opening eight matches.

Bologna were shell-shocked, but they responded well and were awarded an 18th-minute penalty when VAR spotted an infringement at a corner, with Martinez ruled to have fouled Ferguson.

Orsolini converted from 12 yards, though Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer may be disappointed after he got a hand to it.

Inter should have restored their two-goal lead eight minutes before the break as both Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Calhanoglu found space in the area but could not get a shot away.

Bologna responded well after the break and levelled seven minutes after the restart.

Zirkzee got the ball on the edge of the area and wrong-footed Sommer, shooting into the near post to make it 2-2.

Inter thought they had regained the lead on the hour when Sanchez converted Carlos Augusto’s cross, but it was ruled out for offside.

Boss Simone Inzhagi’s frustration boiled over and he received a yellow card in protestations at refereeing decisions.

His mood did not improve as Martinez then flashed a header just wide from a corner as they pushed to regain the lead.

The pressure mounted in the final 10 minutes with Bologna goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski beating away Augusto’s shot before the same player headed over at the death.

Napoli boss Rudi Garcia is expecting his team to deliver against Fiorentina on Sunday.

The Partenopei boss revealed at a press conference that he asked his team to win their three Serie A matches ahead of the international break, following a disappointing goalless draw at Bologna.

After a 4-1 home victory over Udinese and 4-0 success at Lecce last time out, Garcia’s players are close to providing the right answer to his request.

Ahead of Sunday’s visit of La Viola to the Stadio Maradona, Garcia told his club’s official website: “I asked the team for three straight wins and on Sunday we have the chance to achieve that.

“We’re in third place, alongside Fiorentina. We want to beat them to stay up near the top and consolidate our position.”

However, the 59-year-old knows his team will not have things all their own way as they seek to extend their winning league run.

He continued: “We know they’re a team who play good football and they’ve enjoyed an excellent start to the season.

“Fiorentina have top-quality players, they’re well drilled and have a clear playing philosophy. They’ve scored lots of headed goals and we’ve analysed their strengths.

“They’re a similar team to us in the way they press and win the ball back. We know it will be a difficult match but we’re playing at home and we must show we’re capable of winning it.”

Despite their strong league form, Napoli lost 3-2 to Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday.

However, Garcia says the team should not be short of confidence despite the home defeat.

He explained: “We can take confidence and become stronger because of it. The way we played shows we’re capable of giving world-class teams like Real a game.

“There were little things we should have done better, especially when we conceded the goals, but it can help us grow.

“The Real Madrid match shows we’re a strong side but now we need to take that into our game on Sunday and be even more determined when defending.”

Garcia has not ruled out making changes against Fiorentina, revealing he would decide after their final training session ahead of the game.

Defender Amir Rrahmani is closing in on a return from a muscle injury but is not yet fit to play 90 minutes.

Inter Milan are hoping to have Davide Frattesi available for Saturday’s clash with Bologna.

The Italy international suffered a muscle injury in the defeat at Sassuolo 10 days ago and missed the Serie A clash with Salernitana and the Champions League win over Benfica in midweek.

He trained on Friday and boss Simone Inzaghi will decide whether to risk him for Bologna’s visit to the San Siro.

Marko Arnautovic did not train with the group and will miss out.

Inter sit top of Serie A on goal difference ahead of their rivals AC Milan after a strong start to the season.

Defender Carlos Augusto is loving life at the San Siro following his loan move from Monza.

 

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The 24-year-old Brazilian has featured nine times for his new team and already knows what is expected.

 

“It’s going very well,” he said in an interview with DAZN, reported by La Gazzetta Dello Sport.

“The group and the staff have helped me a lot to get used to the new surroundings as best as possible and I’m very happy to help my team-mates. We are a family where everyone helps each other and for this reason, we are doing well.

“Inter aims to always win in all competitions, we want the title, but also the Italian Cup and to get as high as possible in the Champions League, this is what this team is, we want to win everything, always.”

Bologna have only lost once this season – a 2-0 reverse to AC Milan – so they will present a difficult challenge to Inter.

However, they will be without injured trio Stefan Posch, Jhon Lukumi, and Adama Soumaoro.

Massimiliano Allegri says victory is the only option for Juventus in their Turin derby with Torino on Saturday.

Juve host their city rivals in Serie A hoping to hang on to the coat-tails of the two Milan clubs at the top of the table.

They are also looking to bounce back from a disappointing 0-0 draw with Atalanta last week and Allegri says it is important to get bragging rights in a “special” encounter.

“We are not satisfied with a result other than victory,” he said in a press conference reported on the club’s website.

“It will be a derby and these are always special matches. In managing the ball and passing, we will undoubtedly have to play a better match than the one in Bergamo, aware of the value of the team we will face.

“We face a Torino that is difficult to play against, an aggressive team led by Ivan Juric who is an excellent coach. For him, the results he achieved and the growth of his players speak for themselves.

Midfielder Paul Pogba remains suspended amid reports he has tested positive for testosterone in his B sample.

Juventus will also be without Dusan Vlahovic and Federico Chiesa but Moise Kean and Kenan Yildiz will be involved.

“Moise Kean is doing well and will play.” Allegri added.

“It’s sad not to have Chiesa and Vlahovic because they are doing very well, but these things are part of the game. Kenan Yildiz is ready to play like everyone else who is available.

“On Saturday I will see, the derby is important and above all for us it could serve as another step forward in the standings. We are calm.

“In terms of goalscorers we have Kean, Arek Milik and Yildiz, in midfield we have Adrien Rabiot, who is a goalscorer, Nicolo Fagioli and Fabio Miretti who will start to score goals soon, and then several defenders who are always dangerous on dead-ball situations.”

Turin is black and white if recent results are anything to go by, with Juventus unbeaten in their last 17 meetings with Torino going back to 2015.

Their head coach Ivan Juric has seen his team push Juve close in recent years, without being able to get over the line.

And he hopes that changes on Saturday.

“An aggressive Juve awaits us, we hope to repeat what we have done in the past in terms of performances but with a different result,” he said on his club’s official website.

AC Milan head for promoted Genoa on Saturday desperate to make up for drawing another Champions League blank in midweek.

The Rossoneri make the trip to the Luigi Ferraris Stadium having won their last three Serie A fixtures against Verona, Cagliari and Lazio to remain level on points with leaders and derby rivals Inter at the top of the table.

However, they do so still reflecting on the disappointment of Wednesday night’s 0-0 draw at Borussia Dortmund in their second Group F fixture, with the first against Newcastle at San Siro having similarly ended in stalemate.

 

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Manager Stefano Pioli said after the Dortmund game: “Many things we do are positive, but we have not been concrete and ruthless. I want to start again from the many positive things we are doing.”

Pioli and his players were unable to travel back to Italy from Germany on Thursday and so have effectively had just one day to prepare for the clash with Genoa.

They will still be without midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who suffered an adductor muscle injury during the 2-0 victory over Lazio.

Ismael Bennacer and Rade Krunic are also out and the forthcoming international break could hardly be better timed for Pioli’s walking wounded, with Juventus, Paris St Germain and Napoli waiting in the wings in back-to-back games.

Opposite number Alberto Gilardino will hope his side can take advantage of any fatigue to build upon a 4-1 home victory over Roma and a 2-2 draw at Udinese.

However, Gilardino is sweating on the fitness of star striker Mateo Retegui, who suffered a knee injury in Udine.

The manager told a press conference: “Retegui still has pain in his knee, but we’ll wait 24 hours to see if there is a possibility of recovery without risking the rest of his season.

“Everyone’s desire is to see him on the pitch, but we need to be clear in our assessments.”

Whatever team he is able to field, Gilardino knows the task they face will be a tough one.

He added: “We will have to limit the percentage of errors on our part as much as possible. We are facing a strong team, both the starting XI and those who will take over, all players with important characteristics both in terms of technical qualities and physicality.

“I will ask the boys for a huge effort. The important thing will be to be united.”

Juventus and Atalanta were forced to share the points after grinding out a goalless draw in Serie A on Sunday.

After an even start to the match in Bergamo both teams came close later in the first half, with Davide Zappacosta trying his luck before Nicolo Fagioli and Moise Kean tested Juan Musso in the Atalanta goal.

However, the hosts had the pick of the chances in the second half when Wojciech Szczesny got his fingertips to Luis Muriel’s free-kick before Teun Koopmeiners had two good shots in the closing stages.

The stalemate sees Massimiliano Allegri’s men sit four points behind league leaders Inter Milan in the table, while Atalanta remain a point behind Juve.

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Both sides opened the game well but Atalanta had the first clear-cut chance in the 14th minute when a great ball from Oscar Ruggeri on the left found Zappacosta in the box and the full-back’s effort whistled wide of a post.

A slow first half saw both sides have equal possession of the ball and Federico Chiesa was trying to create chances for Juve.

The visitors then had a chance on the half-hour mark as a corner ball fell to Fagioli on the edge of the box, but Musso managed to push it away.

Kean then tested Musso from distance, with the goalkeeper making a comfortable save to his right.

Atalanta put pressure on the visitors early in the second-half as Ederson hit a teasing cross into the box but Zappacosta was unable to meet the ball and Juve were straight up the other end of the pitch as Chiesa had a powerful effort palmed away by Musso.

The hosts were making good runs around the box but Juventus were able to counter the danger and they threatened again in the 69th minute from a corner.

Sead Kolasinac’s flicked header was turned away by Manuel Locatelli at the back post before Ederson’s resulting overhead kick flew wide.

Atalanta had an excellent opportunity in the 73rd minute when Muriel’s free-kick was curling towards the top corner, but Szczesny made a fantastic save, just getting his fingertips to the ball, and it deflected off the bar before being cleared away.

They threatened again from a corner as Berat Djimsiti headed over the bar before Ederson’s low strike was blocked by the Juve defence.

Atalanta nearly found the winner in the 88th minute when Muriel’s thumping shot was spilled by Szczesny into the path of Koopmeiners, but the Dutchman was unable to finish from the rebound.

Koopmeiners had another opportunity to snatch three points for the hosts after finding space in the box but his shot blazed over the bar and Juventus defended well to hold on for a point.